Pictures courtesy of Plern Pao market Facebook

 

A highly anticipated night market in Phuket has abruptly closed its doors, just two months after a much-publicised launch.

 

The Plern Pao Night Market, a 30 million baht venture near Surin Circle’s clocktower, ceased operations this week. Organiser Plern Pao Co Ltd announced its closure on Monday, urging vendors to gather refunds and dismantle their stalls.

 

Opening on July 5, the market had been heralded as a potential cultural and tourist magnet. The launch saw Phuket MP Thitikan Thitiphrutikul and Rewat Areerob, president of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO), celebrate its expected contribution to the local economy.

 

Spanning over 15 rai, the market hosted 256 stalls, food outlets, a live music area, creative zones, and parking facilities. It aimed to attract both locals and tourists, promising job opportunities and enhancing Phuket Town’s nightlife.

 

However, after just eight weeks, ambitions have been dashed.

 

Plern Pao Co Ltd expressed gratitude to vendors and visitors for creating a vibrant atmosphere, while regretting the sudden shutdown. The company hinted at future projects, though reasons behind the closure remain vague.

 

Vendors must submit original rental contracts by Friday, September 5, to claim refunds, scheduled for return by October 1. Any late claims will be denied. Stallholders also need to vacate by Sunday, September 7, or risk losing their property.

 

Winyu Kamnakitthana, executive director of Plern Pao Co Ltd, extended thanks to business owners and patrons, and acknowledged any inconvenience caused. He cited the need for new projects as the reason for the closure but offered no further details.

 

Rewat Areerob, president of PPAO, quickly distanced himself, stating, “It was run by a private company. I was there just to open the event.”

 

Once envisioned as Phuket’s next major attraction, the market now joins a long list of ventures that have fallen victim to the island's fiercely competitive tourism and retail industry.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-09-03

 

 

Why open it in the low season/rainy season? November would have given it a better chance

15 hours ago, proton said:

Why open it in the low season/rainy season? November would have given it a better chance

It's in Phuket town, so away from the tourist areas. Yes, high season would have been better probably, but the difference between low and high season in that area is far less than other areas. 

I think less Chinese visitors will be the cause of the closure.

There's nothing like professional planning........🤫

And another night market being build near Rolly Taskers That will also last a week or two

17 hours ago, proton said:

Why open it in the low season/rainy season? November would have given it a better chance

    Yes, and why close it so quickly.  It takes some time to build a new business and get people to discover it.  The reason for closing it sounded really vague, too.

9 minutes ago, newnative said:

    Yes, and why close it so quickly.  It takes some time to build a new business and get people to discover it.  The reason for closing it sounded really vague, too.

 

If I were a betting man, I'd bet that the night market was just an interim land use until they sold the property, and now they have.  Or the funding has come through for a more profitable project.

 

 

 

27 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

If I were a betting man, I'd bet that the night market was just an interim land use until they sold the property, and now they have.  Or the funding has come through for a more profitable project.

 

 

 

That would be my bet, too.

Same old boring tat on sale nobody's interested in, would be my guess behind closure 🤣😂

3 hours ago, pest said:

And another night market being build near Rolly Taskers That will also last a week or two

The "night market" or whatever it's meant to be in Patong, called "Patongo" has been a complete disaster and is devoid of any customers at all, so whatever is in the future for this will be an interesting take!

What a scandalous way to treat the vendors: they just get kicked of the land in a couple of days. Need to submit documents by tomorrow otherwise no refund end of the month. ZERO RESPECT for those who invested and set up a marker stall, hired employees and bought stock... Typical...

QUOTE

Vendors must submit original rental contracts by Friday, September 5, to claim refunds, scheduled for return by October 1. Any late claims will be denied. Stallholders also need to vacate by Sunday, September 7, or risk losing their property.

 

4 hours ago, impulse said:

 

If I were a betting man, I'd bet that the night market was just an interim land use until they sold the property, and now they have.  Or the funding has come through for a more profitable project.

 

 

 

 

Thanks - my thought exactly.

 

Maybe some dubious means for Chinese, Russian or Indian investors to construct hotels, condos, malls etc.

Business plan ? What is that ? Cannont translate in thai, only a strange foreigner concept ?

2 hours ago, Travel Dude said:

What a scandalous way to treat the vendors: they just get kicked of the land in a couple of days. Need to submit documents by tomorrow otherwise no refund end of the month. ZERO RESPECT for those who invested and set up a marker stall, hired employees and bought stock... Typical...

QUOTE

Vendors must submit original rental contracts by Friday, September 5, to claim refunds, scheduled for return by October 1. Any late claims will be denied. Stallholders also need to vacate by Sunday, September 7, or risk losing their property.

 

I don't disagree with you, but I suspect the vendors knew that their presence was precarious and could end at any time if the property sold.  I would hope that risk was baked into a lower rent price and spelled out on the lease agreement. 

 

If it wasn't spelled out, or if the terms of the lease are being violated, the tenants should have recourse in court.  But, TIT.

 

Edit:  I'd add that there are a lot of interim land uses like that in the USA where swap meets, garden markets and other low rent businesses can thrive, even if they can't make rent in (for example) a mall.  Another common one is golf driving ranges that may survive for decades, until someone buys up the land for a shopping mall or housing development.

 

 

Seem’s somebody had a grandiose idea and sold it to the gullible. Didn’t it cross anybody's mind that it was the wrong time of the year to open it? 

No point to purchase in any night market in Thailand, when you can very often,  find the exact items on sale, on Temu or Shein for 1/4 of the price.

 

The days of easy money and scamming foreigners are long behind, Sorry. 

 

Same for the restaurants that overcharge all over. At one point foreigners will either cook at home or come on holiday and stay in hoteis - Air B n B,  with self catering. 

 

But will they ever learn ?

6 hours ago, pest said:

And another night market being build near Rolly Taskers That will also last a week or two

Rolly Tasker? I've done a lot of work for him back in OZ.

On 9/3/2025 at 5:02 PM, snoop1130 said:

urging vendors to gather refunds and dismantle their stalls.

Ask the landlord for refunds? Ha ha! Like that'll happen!

13 hours ago, newnative said:

    Yes, and why close it so quickly.  It takes some time to build a new business and get people to discover it.  The reason for closing it sounded really vague, too.

Probably someone has offered a high price , building more and more condos . Just what Phuket needs, not !

Over priced non authentic food available ?

Not given the time to develop ?